With the optimism of the new football season upon us, I was sad to learn that longtime coach Ken Olson passed away Wednesday.

Olson was a longtime football assistant at Richland High School, and he built the Bombers’ softball program into a powerhouse in the 1980s and 1990s.

Two of Olson’s sons followed in his footsteps as football coaches. Greg is the offensive coordinator of the Oakland Raiders, and Marc is a teacher and assistant at Richland High.

“Ken was as much responsible for the Bomber football culture changing around here as Coach (J.D.) Covington,” Richland football coach Mike Neidhold said. “Ken was a great coach and even better person.”

Former Raiders Asst. Coach/Fresno St. Head Coach Jim Sweeney dies at 83

After two years at Fresno State ('76-'77), Coach Sweeney took to the NFL as an assistant coach for the Oakland Raiders in John Maddenâ€™s final season ('78), then one year with the St. Louis Cardinals under Bud Wilkinson. Sweeney was hired back at Fresno State following the 1979 season with the Cardinals, and remained a Bulldog until his retirement following the 1996 season.

Terrelle Pryor's mentor Theodore Sarniak III passed away last Friday July 26th at the age of 68. Six days later on July 26th, Terrelle lost his father. Craig Pryor, who suffered from a neuromuscular disorder and was in a wheelchair, was 44 years old.

RIP Ben Davidson,also RIP Al Davis...there will be a very quiet gathering of Davis family members,friends and associates in Las Vegas today(july 4th) to honor and celebrate the life of AL Davis...as members of the Raider nation family lets wear our Raider black and go to our local Raider sportsbar(like Ricky's etc) and tell the bar patrons that this is a celebration of the life of Al Davis and Ben Davidson...raise a glass and make a toast in honoring the memory of these Great men....

the watchman

Greg Papa, traveling with the Raiders in Houston, received a phone call early this morning from the Raiders' John Herrera that he needed to come up to his room and speak with him. Greg Papa said he knew right away what it must be about. Listen to his story as he gets choked up telling it:

So the rumors I had been hearing for a couple years were true. Al was living at the Oakland Airport Hilton, where the Raiders stay the night before all the home games. I had heard from a couple of sources that he was living there because he wanted to be closer to the team, and it was easier for him getting in and out with no stairs.

Also, these articles confirm that he did also have skin cancer problems. I wonder if having surgery three days before he died had any relation to his death. Seems like quite a coincidence.

GREAT TRIBUTE PODCAST SHOW TO AL DAVIS...ON DA REAL, I COULDNT GET THROUGH IT WITHOUT SHEDDING A TEAR .....GOOD JOB GUYS....IT TAKES A LOT FOR A MOTHERFUCKER LIKE ME TO GET EMOTIONAL...AL DAVIS MAN! ...YOU DA MAN! ....R.I.P MY FATHER ...

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Heaven doesn't want me..... and Hell is afraid I might take over. " RAIDER FOR LIFE!"

i'm listening to the latest podcast right now, and i want to thank greg and randy for putting up the podcast so quickly. this is your best podcast ever. you're doing a great public service to the nation by letting us grieve with each other. it's really touching to hear fans' voices.

4 those on here and other places who kept saying I wish Al Davis would die so this team could become normal, FUCK OFF.

As life must live death must die. I'm not one to dwell on death. Everyone does go sooner or later. I am glad Al Davis made it this far. GOD only knew the true man and will judge him for it.

Does anyone know if Marc Davis has the same passion as Al for football and the raiders? With the manager of the general partners gone, will the other partners fight for control? Will Marc try to cash in and sell his share?

I do hope both the raiders players and houston players(if not all players this weekend) wear a black patch to honor the passing of a pro football legend

Greg Papa, traveling with the Raiders in Houston, received a phone call early this morning from the Raiders' John Herrera that he needed to come up to his room and speak with him. Greg Papa said he knew right away what it must be about. Listen to his story as he gets choked up telling it:

Twice this week I've woken up to read about the death of an icon. First Steve Jobs and now Al Davis. I'm not over the death of Clarence Clemons, and now this? Both Jobs and Davis did things their own ways, the rest of the world be damned. Sometimes they were right, sometimes they were wrong, but they never bowed to others' opinions. People are saying reaction to the iPhone 4S is muted, people are disappointed, blah blah blah, and so far it's the best selling phone ever. Sometimes people pile on just for the sake of piling on. JaMarcus Russell was the biggest bust in history. Ping is a stupid add-on to iTunes. Whatever. I love my Apple toys and I love the Raider Nation. Loud and proud, baby. If I were on the Texans, I'd be worried about Sunday's game. The Raiders are going to bring it hard.

I have to say its a great thing to see the entire sports world coming together to recognize AL DAVIS & HIS RAID-UHS for all he has given & the influence to which he embodied as a man. My belief is one thing a man can control in their life is the respect they receive. AL demanded respect as he deserves it. When asked by opposition "What do you think about AL?" My reply is simple, "I respect him." Only had a chance to see AL DAVIS once in KC. He was on the bus after the game & as they pulled out of the gates, MR. DAVIS held his fist up with a huge "Just Win Baby" grin as he looked out the window to see His Nation, the Raider Nation standing before him.

WE RESPECT YOU AL, REAL MEN WEAR BLACK! COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE!

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"I Will Strike Down Upon Thee With Great Vengeance & Furious Anger Those Who Attempt To Destroy My Brothers & Sisters ...... & You Will Know I Am A RAIDER When I Lay My Vengeance Upon Thee."

I called and left a message...its quite long....I had a lot to say.....I know you will edit it and that is fine.......I have had my problems with Al through the years.....but this is a sad day..................I am very worried about the structure about the team and what will become of it..........I pray they leave it mostly the way it was.......RIP AL..........................you were the ORIGINAL BADASS..........................................................!

I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT THIS FOR SOME TIME.....THE TEAM WILL REMAIN IN AMY TRASKS HANDS UNTIL MARK DAVIS HAS CONTROL....THEN I AM SURE A G.M. WILL SOON BE ADDED FOR STABILITY...THEN.....WHO THE FUCK KNOWS!

da_AZN_PErsuAZN

â€śMr. Davis is a titan and pillar of the game. I had the pleasure and honor to know him and to work for him. And to me, he is the greatest. The autumn wind will always be a Raider.â€ť - John Harbaugh, HC-San Fransico 49ers

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da_AZN_PErsuAZN

â€śDuring this indescribably difficult time, let us all reflect upon what it means to be a Raider â€” let us all reflect upon how privileged we are to be Raiders â€” and let us all be Raiders.â€ť - Amy Trask CEO, Oakland Raiders

I called and left a message...its quite long....I had a lot to say.....I know you will edit it and that is fine.......I have had my problems with Al through the years.....but this is a sad day..................I am very worried about the structure about the team and what will become of it..........I pray they leave it mostly the way it was.......RIP AL..........................you were the ORIGINAL BADASS..........................................................!

Randy's note: Yeah HellRaider...I edited it, a little....but I left most of it in there. It's hard to decide what to cut out. After a while I thought..."oh what the hell....Greg's part didn't last that long....we can leave most of this Boneline stuff in."